ATHENS – The Golden Dawn member convicted of killing anti-Fascist hip-hop artist Pavlos Fyssas has appealed for a light sentence because he said he feels “sincere remorse” for the murder.

After party members had mocked Fyssas' mother Magda, taunting her with “Where's your Pavlo now?” Giorgos Roupakias asked judges to take into consideration his clean record before the 2013 murder.

His lawyer said Roupakias had also been punished with house arrest after his release from pre-trial detention confined him to his small apartment with no mention of where Fyssas is.

Roupakias was found guilty of the killing of the 34-year-old performer, an act which brought the party's hierarchy and dozens of members to trial, which lasted five years until they were convicted of running and taking part in a criminal gang, most of the defendants refusing to appear for the verdict.

Addressing the court, Roupakias’ lawyer said his client has been “demonized” by the media for being a killer and has been unable to leave his 50-square meter (538.2 square feet) house for the last 4 ½ years.

Judges will also hear from lawyers for the Golden Dawn former lawmakers and members before delivering sentences, which could be lenient under a law passed by the former ruling Radical Left SYRIZA designed to help terrorists and anarchists by reducing even major felonies to misdemeanors.